Turbine’s Test Drive 7 Pitch Night was organised on Wednesday 10 November 2021. Out of the 8 projects selected, 3 were able to impress the judges and met all the criteria set for the prizes. The Test Drive Programme aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop their business ideas into full-fledged business plans with the help of top Industry Experts and Turbine’s Professional Business Coaches through workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions. Diane Maigrot, Managing Director of Turbine shares:
The Test Drive Programme is an intense period where aspiring entrepreneurs get in touch with us with an idea that they will further develop into a Pitch and a Business Plan. Till date, Turbine has accompanied over 120 projects through this programme. Test Drive allows us to determine whether the aspiring entrepreneur has the required strength and determination to go forward with his project.
Meet the Winners
The Most Impactful and The Most Innovative Business Idea
Hosany Abdur Raheem, founder of Chiron Monitoring Headset was able to impress the judges and won 2 prizes: The Most Impactful Business Idea sponsored by MCB and The Most Innovative Business Idea sponsored by Beyond Communications. This project aims at designing an enhanced approach to heart rate monitoring, especially its variation under different situations using PPG (Photoplethysmography). The form of the device is in a conventional headphone, meant for immobile application.
The Most Promising Business Idea
Macdonald Tafadzwa Nyahoja won the prize for The Most Promising Business Idea sponsored by Moka Smart City for his project Craftsman Connect, a tech company which aims to apply technology to enhance how artisans conduct their day-to-day business.
The Coup De Coeur Prize
Calmos by Daniel Zock won The Coup de Coeur prize sponsored by Mo Angels. Calmos is the first social networking platform for mental wellbeing where people with mental health issues gather and heal together with the guidance and support of thousands of mental health professionals.
The Test Drive Programme is free and open to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to develop their Innovative Idea into a Business Plan. Applications to participate in the programme can be done here or, you may get in touch with the Turbine Team on hello@turbine.mu.